Kudzu Bug Alert
Posted 1-3-2012

Megacopta cribraria, also known as the kudzu bug, is once again moving from its preferred host in search of protected sites where it will spend the winter. Once on the move, the adult bugs are attracted to light-colored surfaces - landing on people, vehicles, and buildings. They are a nuisance pest for those living in our urban and suburban areas. This mass migration results in complaints and inquiries to pest control operators, Cooperative Extension offices, and the media.

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New Disease on Boxwood Identified
Posted 12-12-2011

A new disease on boxwood (Buxus spp.) was identified earlier this fall in North Carolina called Box blight, caused by the fungus Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum (formerly Cylindrocladium buxi). The disease was first identified in the UK in the 1990s. Since ornamental plants are moved nationally and internationally all the time, the pathogen has made it to the US. At this time, the disease has also been found in VA and CT. I have attached a formal (and lengthy) description of the disease from USDA-CPHST, as well as a pdf showing symptoms of the disease that I received from the GDA. This disease has not been identified in GA nor have I seen this disease in ornamental nurseries or landscapes in the past. But, as I said, new plants move into our state and nurseries all the time and it is possible that both wholesale and retail nurseries may have received infected plants, liners, or cuttings. The disease discovery is making its rounds within trade magazines and websites, so you may get questions about it from producers within your area.

The main symptoms associated with box blight is browning foliage, defoliation of lower leaves, circular (somewhat zonate) leaf spots, and blackening stems both externally and darkening within the cambial tissues. The pathogen produces white sporodochia (tight cluster of conidiophores and spores) that look like white tufts on infected tissue, especially after incubation within a moist chamber.

The disease is not regulated by USDA or GDA at this time. Its only known host are boxwood species. However, I have received a few calls and emails from growers that have received inquiries from their customers in other states wanting to know if their plants are "free" of the disease. Only the GDA can issue phytosanitary documentation; however, I do work closely with the GDA on pathology issues concerning ornamentals. If a grower is seeing boxwood decline and Box blight is suspected, please send me a sample to the Plant Disease Clinic in Athens for confirmation. Cylindrocladium diseases can be difficult to control. Fungicides such as fludioxonil (Medallion) may provide some control.